Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you 2012 for everything that you have taught me!
Thank you Ex for letting me go when I wanted to hang on!
Thank you family and old friends for always being there for me!
Thank you new friends for making me believe in the beauty of new relationships.
Thank you work for the steady paycheck.
Thank you blog for giving me an outlet for my emotions and for introducing me to great people.
Thank you readers and fellow bloggers for reading my blog, for liking it, for commenting on it, for sending me heartfelt e-mails, for becoming my new friends!
It is impossible for me not to look back and reflect upon everything that has happened in 2012. My life is completely different from what it was in 2011. The only constant has been my job. I feel I have lost everything else.
Is my life better or worse? It depends at which moment you ask me. Life is composed of good and bad moments and I live each and all to the fullest. The bottom line is my life is exactly as it is supposed to be. 2011 was certainly the most heartbreaking year of my life. There were many challenges and I welcome challenges!
I feel I have accomplished and overcame a lot, specially emotionally. I could have accomplished more, but at the same time I could have curled up in a ball and fallen into a deep depression. I could have drowned my sorrows in pounds of chocolate and gained 30 pounds, I could have fallen for the wrong guy just because I feel lonely. Yet I have done none of those things. And for that and more I am grateful.
I have found peace, comfort and joy in accepting what the Universe has thrown at me. I accept and cherish the present moment. I am happy and grateful for each breath.
The main idea in 2011 was to keep mind and body busy. I keep active with Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, and volunteering ( I have been volunteering every Saturday and I am sore for days afterwards 🙂 ). I try to keep my mind engaged with conversations with great friends, with movies, with puzzles, with new challenges. Still I hate to exercise, eat too much sugar and watch too much TV. I accept myself in all my glory and flaws. I just promise myself to try to be a little better today than I was yesterday.
In 2013 I am renewing my efforts to work harder at learning French and learning mosaic ( I found a 1 day mosaic workshop to be held in February and already signed up for it and I am able to invite someone to dinner in French – great starts)
I look at 2013 with a peaceful heart and so much hope! I know in my heart that it will be an amazing year. After all I am blessed with a Star on the Forehead (an invisible star)
In 2010 I had my fortune read by a monk sitting next to a temple in Thailand. Is that an acceptable thing in Buddhism? I have been always curious about that. But anyway, the point is, he told me that I was blessed (well no news there I knew that!! Lol), but he also told me that my life will only get better and better. Each new day will be better than the one before! Did he know what he was talking about? Did he have psychic abilities? Who knows and who cares! The important thing is that I believe it to be true, and the Universe believes what I believe.
The monk forgot to mention the hardships and growing pains along the way, but those are only details.
Today I can surely look back and say that my life is infinitely better and the most important thing is I feel I continue to move in the right direction and things can only get better.
So thank you reader and friend for being a part of my Universe, for making me question myself, for giving me support, for the kind words at the right time, for having inspiring, funny and informational blogs!
May your life get better and better and may 2013 be your year to shine!
ps. How dare I feel sorry for myself even for a second? On my way from the train station I stopped by a Brazilian restaurant, while waiting for a pastry to be fried, I noticed a man paying for a tiny piece of meat and sitting and eating that. The man looked disheveled and I thought he could have been mentally ill, but I decided to approach him anyway. I sat at his table and asked him if I could buy him lunch. He said yes. I was relieved that he acted normal.
I had so many emotions when I left the restaurant. I was happy with myself for lending a hand, but still the powerlessness consumes me. I feel guilty for having had moments today of feeling sorry for myself for not having a big New Year’s Eve planned. How dare I when some don’t know where their next meal is coming from?
I know I am meant to do more, to help more. “To whom much is given, much is expected!” Luke 14:48
evasantiago310 said:
What a nice sentiment! Happy 2013 to you 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! A blessed 2013 to you! 🙂
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jalal michael sabbagh.http://gravatar.com/jmsabbagh86@gmail.com said:
Captivating post.Your thoughts and wishes are beautiful.,may every one of them come true .May happiness conquer sadness and kindness conquer the heartless..Have a wonderful 2013.jalal
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Jalal Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes! A blessed 2013 to you! 🙂
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Slightly Sublime said:
”To whom much is given, much is expected!”
I love this and I try to live my life with this in mind.
Thanks!
Happy New Year!
May your 2013 be blessed 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
That is indeed great words to live by! Thank you so much and also to you a blessed 2013! 🙂
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pennycoho said:
Happy New Year, May this year be filled with much joy and happiness for you! Penny 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much Penny! To you also much peace and blessings in 2013! 🙂
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pennycoho said:
Thank you! 🙂
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dittofunky said:
sums up how I feel this past year! 😀 Lovely!
may you find new beginnings for 2013 and continue counting the blessings given to you! 😀
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! I love the idea of finding new beginnings, so I appreciate your great wishes! Many blessings and much peace to you in 2013! 🙂
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Ruby said:
Happy New Year, I wish you all the best and I love your blog! Thank you so much for stopping by mine, I really appreciate it! Have a wonderful day, blessings!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much! New Year new friends! 🙂 Many blessings! 🙂
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Tara Savage said:
let’s be twitter friends! I loved and appreciated your comment so much the other day. I am going to continue following your blog, and I know you will be successful in the journey of recovery and will continue to lead a beautiful life. Everyday is a new opportunity to make a difference. This blog has inspired me and I have been reading a lot of your posts an your blog, I relate to you on some real level and in so many ways I hope that we can be blog friends and eventually even meet up. You are an inspiration to many, including me and I only hope I can be the same for other people. ❤ ❤ ❤ Thank YOU!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Definitely let’s be friends!! Here is to a 2013 full of inspiration!
Many blessings and thank you always! 🙂
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thelastsongiheard said:
May it be that you and your family find comfort, peace and prosperity in the new year 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you and to you and yours also! Thank a million for the comments and friendship! May one day we meet in person! Many blessings! 🙂
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thelastsongiheard said:
Yes, you’re on my list of “must see” people 😀
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A Star on the Forehead said:
yippie! I love being on that list! 🙂
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Change My Body...Change My Life said:
Happy new year!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! To you too a wonderful 2013! Blessings! 🙂
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86carrots said:
Happy New Year! Very sweet for you to pay for that gentleman’s meal. Nothing better for Karma than some Pay it Forward moments. 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! I hope 2013 will bring new opportunities to help!
Many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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linneabylinneanilsson said:
Like you say, “Life is composed of good and bad moments.” If we didn’t have both, how could we possibly feel one from the other? Enjoy 2013!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Exactly, we need the bad times to learn to give full value to the great times! Many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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nuvofelt said:
Not only have we been given much, but it has been given freely. What a wonderful concept. Thank you for this timely reminder in this lovely post. I wish you a very blessed 2013
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A Star on the Forehead said:
I am glad my words resonated with you! Thank you for the wise comment: “given freely” – so right! A blessed 2013 to you too! 🙂
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P. C. Zick said:
You got it, girl. Happy new year.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! Thank you for the great comments and wise words in 2012! Many blessings to you in the new year! 🙂
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Marshal Infidel said:
Wonderful thoughts, fabulous wishes… may they all come true… for you and me too!
Happy 2013
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you for the great words! Many blessings to both of us in 2013! 🙂
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Pink Ninjabi said:
Warm wishes to you too! Great things to be thankful for, what a great reminder, especially things like a steady paycheck, thank youuuuu 😀
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Pink Thank you and many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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nancybenn said:
Best Wishes for 2013. Looking at your earlier posts, you’ve come such a long way & obviously have the right outlook on life to cope with whatever life throws at you.
Thank you for following my fledgling blog. I intended, but never had the courage to blog about the vast change to my life after the breakup of my marriage and I admire that you’ve done this with such brutal honesty.
Have a fabulous New Year 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Nancy Thank you for the kind words. The breakup was the hardest thing in my life, I had to get the feelings out or I would explode. I am sure you have a lot to say and a lot readers would benefit from it.
Many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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silentlyheardonce said:
Life is a journey of ups and downs. You have a right to feel sorry for self because you are human. Yes some have far less and some have far more. Depression may be a permanent part of me. When I slip into a depressed state I flow with it. When I come through it I feel strong and determined to make my world better. All we can do is live day by day. As you say you are blessed with a star. When that star dims a bit just hold on and wait for it to shine brighter than ever. All possibilities for 2013!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you for the great words and advice. Go with the flow is a great idea instead of fighting it the situation and emotions. Living day by day is another great advice! Many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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silentlyheardonce said:
🙂
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meditatingmummy said:
You are fantastic! may you have the best year yet, may it bring you joy, peace and love. May you travel to France( I love French) and breathe the air and just walk around because you can. I used to speak it in high school – not so anymore. I want to learn Italian this year and write some more.
I’m a Buddhist and I can tell you that some monks are blessed with the ability to see the future and make certain predictions, although it is not common. Thailand follows the Theravada forest tradition, and if a monk told you that without explaining that you would face hardship, it is because they don’t often tell you life is tough – the Buddha says life is full of suffering anyway, it is up to us to make the best out of what we’ve got. You’re already on your way. Sending you hugs
MM
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A Star on the Forehead said:
WOW – Thank you! Good luck to you with the Italian language as I wrestle with French – lol.
Buddhism always intrigued me and I plan on learning more about it.
I realized the hardships are necessary and I have tried not to fight it but to learn as much as I can from them.
Thank you for the hugs, sending some back your way.
Many blessings to you in 2013 and thank you for the support in 2012! 🙂
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Rajamani Thialan said:
Happy 2013, Star on the Forehead….. 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much! Many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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awkwardcharm said:
Good luck with learning French! It is a language that eludes me! I need to have a very bad cold in order to speak it properly 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
So that is the trick to speaking French – lol The pronunciation doesn’t come easy to me either, but I am sticking to it (like I did with English!) Blessings to you in 2013!
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awkwardcharm said:
Hahaha — yes, I believe that’s the best tip I can give you 🙂 Blessings to you, as well!
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kindredspirit23 said:
It may help you to realize that you don’t have to be doing something all the time. You do a lot and you tell us about what you do and how you feel. That spreads your effect into the blogging world. I am commenting, so I am affected. Someone else reads and thinks about some part of it. It all works. Even the gentleman looking for the meal plays his part.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Great point! I always have the feeling that I should be doing something 24 hrs a day otherwise I am wasting time – it is very hard for me to get my mind to quiet down. I am honored that my words have affected you and others.
I appreciate your comments and friendship in 2012 and may we be blessed to keep it going in 2013! Many blessings your way in 2013! 🙂
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iamforchange said:
Happy New Year, I hope yours is filled with great love and joy!
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A Star on the Forehead said:
From your fingertips to God’s ears! 🙂 Many blessings to you in this new year! 🙂
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chris9911 said:
wow, didn’t realize you were that close to falling into depression. Glad you stayed afloat and Merry 2013! (combo way of saying Merry Christmas and happy new year) 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Lol, I guess at moments I was one step away from it, but I am much to much positive and grateful for all I have to go down that path (not that I am saying depression is a choice). Same to you!!
Many blessings to you in this new year! 🙂
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aefountain said:
Thank you for visiting my blog. It’s how I happened upon here. Since late 2011, I realize my life goal is to be helpful to someone each and every day. I don’t look at the days that I don’t but on the days that I do because they bring me pure joy. That pure joy translate to my happiness and in my household of males, when ‘mommy is happy everyone is going to be happy (damnit)”. Thank you for sharing your story at the Brazilian Cafe. I believe we need to focus more on the kind things around us that what the media dictates to us. I genuinely ‘thank you’.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
I really like your comment! That is a great way to live! The world would be such a better place if everyone started to focus more on kindness! Many blessings to you and your family in 2013! 🙂
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Fredy Davis said:
happy New Year Dear !!!!!!!!!! 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! to you too many blessings in 2013! :0
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Adrienne N Hester said:
What a great post. Thank you for sharing.
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you! I am glad you thought so! Many blessings to you in 2013! 🙂
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daniegirl said:
What a great post!!! Very inspiring for someone like myself (just beginning to get her deep emotions and thoughts OUT). I especially liked “looking back to see how far we’ve come”……EXCELLENT THOUGHT!!! 🙂
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Thank you so much! I am so glad my words inspired you! It is great that you are getting your emotions and thoughts out! Having this blog has been a great outlet for me! Many blessings to you in this new year! 🙂
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daniegirl said:
Many Blessings to you as well!! I believe it will be a great outlet!! Appreciate you following!! 🙂
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Nancy Loderick said:
I love how sincerely you express your gratitude. It is so inspiring.
Here’s to a happy and healthy 2013!
Best,
Nancy
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A Star on the Forehead said:
Hi Nancy
Thank you so much for your support, smart comments and kind words in 2012!
My best wishes for a blessed 2013 for your and your loved ones!
🙂
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